Omaha daily bee., 1887-12-01
THE POLITICAL HOROSCOPE.
Statesmen at Washington Predict
What Congress Will Do.
VIEWS ON wElGHTY SUBJECTS
Prominent People Express Opinions
on the Tariff, Surplus Reduction,
Postal Telegraphy and the
Presidential Candidates.
Many Varying Opinions.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30.-The Post tomor-
row will print u series of interviews with
nearly hundred members of congress upon
questions which are to be presented during
the coming session, and particularly those re-
lating to the tariff, reduction of the surplus
revenue, and postal teleg raph The Post
summarizes them as follows:
Speaker Carlisle believes in the immediate
reduction of the surplus revenues now
pouring into the treasury. He believes in re-
ducing the taxes which produce these reve-
nues at least S10,000O00 annually. His DEM
ocratc followers who voted with Morrison
in the last congress generally take the same
position. OF the democrats who have sided
with Randall who are now in
the city, McAdoo, Stahlnecker, Wilkins,
Merriman and Lawler are quoted as expert
encing somewhat of a change of heart. The
sentiment of the northwestern congressman
is that the free trade sentiment is growing in
that section. Many republicans agree that
something must be done with the tariff,
though few think nothing will be done this
session. Many ways of reducing the surplus
are suggested. Quite number favor COM
promise such as taking the tariff off tobacco,
and prefer reducing the tax on fruit brandes.
The proposition to. take the tax off whisky
hardly finds supporter The question Of
putting sugar on the free list finds some ad-
vocates, but mainly among republicans. The
democratic sentiment is largely in favor of
increasing the free list by adding to it salt,
lumber and the necessaries of life.
The views on the postal telegraph are
diverse and interesting. Whitthorne, of
Tennessee, thinks the government can sup
port a telegraphic system as it did the postal
system beginning with wires between the
postal telegraph are numerous Thomas, of
Illinois, and others want the government to
appropriate Sl0,000,000 for the purpose.
Woodburn, of Nevada, is in favor of the gov
ernment buying up the existing lines instead
of starting on Il new basis. On the other
hand, the arguments against government
ownership, as given by a number are that
the government ought not to increase its
civil list by 80, 600 telegraph employees; that
the government ought not to go into
private business, and that the scheme is
unwisc and undemocratic. All, however,
with one or two exceptions, agree that a
strong pressure will be made to bring the
matter before congress, and they seem will
ing to deyoteusome time to the discussion
| Of it.
Not single doubt is expressed by either
democrats or republicans as to the renomina-
| tion of President Cleveland, and the demo-
Gratis are certain of his election. The unani-
nous sentiment is that the democratic
candidate for the vice president must
come from the west. Indiana
congressman favor Governor Gray. Villas
| has some friends in Texas. The Illinois dele
| cation is divided between Black and Steven
son, while Blanchard of Louisiana regards
| Cleveland and Voorhees, an invincible
| ticket. The republican congressman usually
| favor Blaine, although Ohio representatives
mention Sherman as very likely to be the
| choice of the party. Cannon of Illinois
| thinks Blaine could carry his state better
than anybody else, but says unless the re-
| publican candidate can carry New York the
party will be defeated.